BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 1 May 1922, Page 4

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

ASSISTANCE PROMISED BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLUBS.

lhe Board of Agriculture held a meeting on the 26tn ult, and considered several important matters bearine on the agricultural and pastoral indus* tries, the president, Sir J as . Wilson, occupying the chair. '

■ r£f e + i? Otf had a len Sthy interview with the Director-General of Agriculture and the Director of the Dairy Division of the Department, in regard to the improvement of methods of handling dairy produce, with a view of reducing the cost of production and preventing unfair competition between the various co-operative factories. It was pointed out that there was a great deal of overlapping owing to the fact that several co-operative factories were competing for cream supplies in various districts, and that this further constituted a risk of the quality of the manufactured output being impaired. It was finally agreed that the Director of the Dairy Division discuss this matter with the delegates who were meeting at an early date at Palmerston North with a view of trying to bring about more satisfactory arrangements.

The Board was further of opinion that the work of farm dairy instructors whooly or partly paid for by dairy companies, but carrying out their duties ■■ -!i the authority of Government officers, was of great value in keeping the quality of our dairy produce at a high standard, and that the cost involved by this, amply recouped by the better returns accruing.

A lengthy discussion took place regarding the general work of the Department, this being materially aided by the detailed information' furnished by the Departmental officers, which en- , abled the members of the Board to obtain a close insight into the many and varied activities of the Department and the l.nes on which economies in expenditure necessitated by the existing financial stringency had been and were still i 'being brought about. In this connection the Board was of opinion that educational and instructional work was or particular value at the present time, and that no curtailment of this should take place. During the discussion on rural education it was agreed that enquiries should i be made with regard to the various legacies that have been bequeathed for the I purpose of encouraging agricultural j education It was further decided that, the time had arrived when the preliminary steps should be taken towards ! the establishment of one or more farm i schools, and that sketch plans should be prepared and submitted, together with an estimate of the cost, to the Board at a future meeting. j The Board also considered it desirable to foster as much as possible the formation of Boys' Agricultural Clubs, and thought that the initiatory steps m the matter should be taken by the farmers in the districts themselves. The Direc-tor-General of Agriculture . promised that his officers would continue to give every assistance and encouragement to ! the movement, ] The Board also considered the policy ' to be adopted with regard to i,i.e experimental farms and the nuj.liods of working them, also the question ?f retaining some that appear to have served the purpose for which they were originally established. The Director-General lor Agriculture gave particulars of the I arrangements that were already in hand !in this connection. Ac regards the Moa [Seed larm, the Board was informed i that a committee had offered to take tlr.s over on very fair and reasonable' terms and run it as a seed farm for a j term of five years, with a view of de- ' monstrating what could be done in the ! way of up-to-date seed growing. The following motion was agreed to: "That ike Board hears with, satisfaction that the public Spirited offer of the committee to take over the Moa Seed Farm for I

five years is likely to be accepted by the Government. The Board is convinced that it is of the utmost importance to the future of farming in New Zealand that farmers in New Zealand sow the. highest grade of pure seeds, and this seed farm is in a district which is eminently suited for the growth of seed is likely to foster their use.' 1 Attention was also given to the question of freight rates for stud stock to South American ports. The Department had some time since approached the overseas shipping lines with a view of obtaining reductions in the freight rates on purebred stock, and this had resulted m the companies agreeing to carry sheep to Monte Video at six guineas nett per head, with a minimum freight of £200; and cattle at £30 per head for the first five, £25 for the second and all over ten at £20 each. It was thought that developments in the export of purebred stock would be very much facilitated if the shipping companies could see their way to still further reduce the?e charges, and to strike out th« condition with regard to the minimum freight of £200, which might prevent small shippers sending away stock. The Department was requested to communicate Avith the shipping companies urging them to do something in this ! direction. t Amongst other matters dealt with , were the importation of grey-winged partridge; the Royal Agricultural Show; the planting of heather on the Tongariro National Park; and the es- j tablishment of an island quarantine j station for imported plants. j